Class 57 variations

[alexl92]

Can anyone explain the difference between the Class 57/3 and 57/6 except the dellner coupler adaptations? As far as I can tell from Wikipedia, with the exception of prototype 57601, the two types have the same engine, weight, speed, power, ETH index etc etc.

Also, do West Coast still have 57/0s? I understand they're a freight variation; What's their role with WCRC? I'm guessing they don't have ETH, so I wouldn't have thought they'd be that much use to a company that predominantly operates railtours...

Cheers!
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Bumping just in case...

 

[sprinterguy]

Yes, the 57/3s and "production" 57/6s were built to the same specification, except for the Dellner couplers, which were a retrofit to the 57/3s anyway (Except on 57313-316 (which were converted later), I think?).

As far as I am aware, West Coast Railways operate two class 57/0s; 57001 and 57006; with a third in store.

Where train supply is required by a charter rake, it is not uncommon for West Coast to provide one ETS fitted and one non-fitted loco as their trains are frequently top and tailed. However, there are a number of generator vehicles that have been converted from other vehicles for use in charter rakes to provide a power supply to the carriages, and while these are mainly the province of Riviera Trains, West Coast have their own as well. The Royal Sccotsman, for whom West Coast provide the traction, also has its own generator on board, so does not require an ETS fitted locomotive to haul it.

 

[alexl92]

Yes, the 57/3s and "production" 57/6s were built to the same specification, except for the Dellner couplers, which were a retrofit to the 57/3s anyway (Except on 57313-316 (which were converted later), I think?).

As far as I am aware, West Coast Railways operate two class 57/0s; 57001 and 57006; with a third in store.

Where train supply is required by a charter rake, it is not uncommon for West Coast to provide one ETS fitted and one non-fitted loco as their trains are frequently top and tailed. However, there are a number of generator vehicles that have been converted from other vehicles for use in charter rakes to provide a power supply to the carriages, and while these are mainly the province of Riviera Trains, West Coast have their own as well. The Royal Sccotsman, for whom West Coast provide the traction, also has its own generator on board, so does not require an ETS fitted locomotive to haul it.

Thanks! I wonder why the /3s and /6s were classified differently then?
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Update: I've just read somewhere that the 57/3s had to have a more powerful engine to be able to cope with hauling a Pendolino at speed and supply ETS. Anyone able to verify this?

 

[sprinterguy]

Thanks! I wonder why the /3s and /6s were classified differently then?

Probably vanity reasons; FGW will have wanted a sub-class of their own to differentiate the locos from Virgins'. First Great Western had quite extensive use of 57601 for a while, so it makes some sense for them to perpetuate the 57/6 number series.

Update: I've just read somewhere that the 57/3s had to have a more powerful engine to be able to cope with hauling a Pendolino at speed and supply ETS. Anyone able to verify this?

The 57/3s have a higher engine output than the 57/0s and the prototype 57/6, as well as a higher ETS rating than 57601, precisely to allow for the demands of hauling Pendolinos, but this would be the first I've heard of them being any different to the "production" 57/6s if that's what you mean.

 

[455driver]

The 57/6s were just a follow on order after the 57/3s, because they were ordered for a different TOC they were given their own number series.

There was no real difference between a 57/3 and a 57/6 as converted.